Screw driver



, 1,677,572 L. V. WALKLEY SCREW DRIVER July 17, 1928.

Filed Dec. 27. 192

Patented Julyl7, 1928.

A 1,677,572 UNITED STATES ATENroFFlc V LUCIUS v. WALKLEY, orPLANT'SVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

SCREW DRIVER.

Application filed December 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,132.

This invention relates to screw drivers, and particularly toimprovements in the structure of the handle or the portion adjacent thehandle of the tool, whereby the operator will be enabled to obtain afirmer and more comfortable grip thereon, so that not only can he applya more-forceful turning'movementthereto, but also there will be lesstendency for the tool to slip in his hand when in use. In addition,owing to the fact that a turning force may be applied to the tool evenwhen not gripped rigidly by the hand of the operator, a less tiresomeeffort is required in its use and the fingers 15. of the hand graspingthe tool are not so likely to become tired and cramped.

One object of the invention isthe. provision of a screw driverorsimilartool, having a portion adjacent the handle of suitable configuration toreceive the fingers of the operator when the tool is inuse. v a v Afurther object of the invention is the provision of a screw driver orsimilar tool, having an improved grip portion whereby a minimum ofeffort.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of ascrewdriver, having adjacent the handle end thereof, flattened de- 'pressionsto. receive the thumb or forefinger or both of 'the operator to' enablethe latter to obtain a firm grasp uponthe tool and to apply a turningmotion thereto with a minimum expenditure of effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screw driver having ashank portion and a relatively short handle portion, and depressedflattened surfaces between the shank portion and handle portion toreceive the thumb and fingers of the operator for the purpose described.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features andcombinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsf Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a screwdriver, embodying my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

.The improved screwdriver which I have illustrated and described asembodying a preferred form of my invention, comprises a structurewherein the main portion consists of a one-piece forging or'stampingwhich extends the entire length of the tool and is shaped to form a bit10, a shank 11,

it may be grasped firmly and operated with a which is graduallyincreased in cross section at its upper end to provide a conoidalbolster 12, and a flattened, web portion 13, to which are applied thehandle scales 14 and 15, the latter being usually made of wood. At eachend ofthe web portions 13 are provided shoulders 16 and 17, betweenwhich the handle scales lie, the. two upper shoulders 16 being continuedto form a relatively broad butt 18. The handle scales may be secured inplace by any suitable means, such as the rivets 19. It will be, ofcourse, understood that in its broader aspects the invention is notconfinedto a tool having the particular features above described, thesebeing shown as illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. I

It willbe noted that in the form of my invention illustrated inthedrawings, theco noidal bolster 12 is located at some distance below theshoulders 17, adjacent the handle scales, and between the bolster andthese shoulders the body of the tool is dished out and flattened toprovide relatively broad flat depressions or valleys 20 and 21, onopposite sides of the tool, which depressions are sepa- Referring toFig. 1, it will be seen that these dished out portions or depressionsare relatively broad. 'In fact, as shown in this figure, the bodyportion of the tool at this point is broader than at the adjacentpoints, above and below, so as to give a relatively flat broad seat orrest to receive the thumb or finger of the operator. Referring to Fig.2, it will also be obvious that while the body portion of the tool hasbeenconsiderably widened at this point, the thickness is reduced so thatinclined'or rounded surfaces are provided between the intermediate partof the depression and the bolster and handle portion of the tool. 3These inclined -or rounded portions will tend to keep the thumb andfinger of the operator in the proper position on the tool and preventthe handle slipping longitudinally relatively to the operators hand. Atthesame time, a

broad surface is furnished against which pressure may be applied to givethe tool a turning motion on its longitudinal axis.

In the form of my invention which ,is illustrated in the drawings, thehandle of the tool or that part upon'which the handle scales aresecured, is somewhat shorter han usually provir in tools of thischaracter, owing to the fact that the upper end of the thumb and theforefinger are received against the surfaces Q'Oaiid 21, and therefore,

the handle scales do not have to be (If sunicient length. to accommodatethe entire hand of the operator. V

The' 'general shape of the tool has, however, been preserved, as thehandle portion thereof is of oval shape so as properly thefhand andtapers downwardly "from a adjacent the butt of the'tool toward the Thevalleys ordished out portions are so formed that the lingers will assumea natural position against the broad flattened surfaces there provided,so that the tool may be held in the hand and a turning force appliedthereto with littleeffort. That is to say, it will not be nee ssary totrip the handle so rigidly as is necessary in the use of tools of thischaracter having a plain, round or oval handle with-out the flattenedsurfaces. Vhile li have shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it will be obvious that it is not limited to all the detailsshown,=but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit ofthe invention and within the scope of the appended claims; i V i What Iclaim is: v i l. Ascrew driver having a body portion "formed to providea bit, ashanlr, and a handle,'and having adjacent the lower end of thehandle and extending across the screwdriver a relatively broad flattenedsurface to receive the finger of the operator.

2. Ascrew driver having a body portion :l'ormed to provide a bit, ashank, and a han die, and having adjacent the lower end of the handle arelatively broad flattened surface to receive the linger of theoperator, and a shoulder below the broadened surface.

1 3. A screw driver comprising a handle 5 structure and bitsupportingshank eonnected togetherby means of an intermediate bolsterstructure, saidbolster, structure being provided with a relatively:broad flattened surface adjacent the handle portion and be tween it andthe shank.

i 4 A screw driver comprising a handle structure and a bit supportingshank con nected together by'means of an intermediate bolster structure,said bolster structure being .andle and the shank;

screw driver comprising a handle structure and a bit supporting" shankcont 5 together by means of a bolster structure, the bolster structurebeing provided with a relatively thin flat web portion to receive thefinger of the operator, andinclined shoulders above and below said webportion, c

by which the said portion merges into the handle and bolster.

7. As a new article of manufacture the herein described screw driverconsisting of the blade, the round shanln'bolster, handle web and butt,all formed in one piece and handle scales-secured to said handle andweb, the handle portion being elliptical incrosssection for the mostpart and between it and the bolster-being concave and widened on bothsides of handle 'to receive the ball of the thumb and the Ol11i) of theforefinger, thus provid ng for a firm grasp and a r gid control agains'tturning, whilethe hand may apply end pressure by the pressure ot thelinger and thumb upon the shank oI" the tool.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day ofDecember, 1926. LUCIUS v. WALKLEY.

